Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Government is not neglecting childcare. We are investing approximately €1.25 billion in childcare. This means the first of five investment targets, €1 billion by 2028, has been achieved five years ahead of schedule. This year's budget allocation will support a reduction of up to 25% in childcare fees. This measure will put close to €2,100 every year back in the pockets of parents from next year. This follows last year's budgets that provided funding for a new employment regulation order, which was agreed between employee representative bodies and the employers. This will result in increases in wages and better conditions for those working in the childcare sector.

The Deputy stated that childcare has evolved on a piecemeal basis. I take her point but that has been the case for over 30 years in terms of community-based, private sector and State-based childcare. The issue now is how we build on that and make it affordable for parents.

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